10/25/13

From Ben Fronczek... Blessed Are those Who Mourn

Blessed Are those Who Mourn

Sermon on the Mount (Part 2) Blessed are those who Mourn – They shall be comforted”  Matthew 5:4 


(by Ben Froncek)



Opening Story: 

Jamie, at the age of four, and her sister, Kim, being five, like any other kids seem to have an endless supply of energy. So much so that their mom enjoys it when she can get them down for an afternoon nap. During those naps which often lasted about an hour, she would also take time to relax calling a friend, reading her favorite magazine or sometimes even taking a nap herself.
On one such occasion after she slipped off into that sweet sleep the girls got up and after seeing their mom sleeping went off to play. Sometimes they like to play in their mom’s bedroom. They loved to put on her shoes and hats and pretend that they were models. They wrap a scarf around their waist and would twirl around to watch them swirl. They would go over to her make-up table and would only eye it with oohs and ahs. Playing with their mom’s clothes was one thing, but they knew better not to touch anything on that table. Their mom warned them more than once not to touch a thing on it because it was a place where she kept all her precious things. As they gazed at the treasures that were spread across the table it was hard not to touch the pretty bottles and containers that were filled with perfume, lipstick and make-up. And at the back of the table against the mirror they saw her jewelry box. They definitely knew that was off limits. The table was also decorated with their mom’s favorite pictures and knick-knacks. There were pictures of grandmas and grandpas, picture of them when they were just babies and a new picture of their daddy in his army uniform in some place called Iraq. And there was also a small collection of beautiful glass flowers daddy had given her. Some were tiny and colorful. Some looked like violets, and one of her favorite glass flowers was a pink rose that stood tall and delicate on the end of a tall thin stem. As you know, if kids can’t touch and play with something the attention span of a four and five year will only last for a matter of minutes. It wasn’t too long before the girls were acting silly and resumed modeling their mom’s silliest hats and spiked shoes. And then it happened- after horsing and pushing one another they bumped into the table and they heard something break. As they look up they saw that their mom’s tall pink rose was now laying on the table in pieces. Jamie and Kim look at one another with an express of total shock. Jamie asked Kim, “What are we going to do?” with a little terror in her voice. A small tear began to develop in Kim’s eye, and she said, “I, I don’t know. That was mama’s favorite.” And then they both began to break down and quietly cry. That’s when the door quietly opened and mother first heard them quietly crying. She thought it was a bit odd because it wasn’t the kind of cry she heard when one of them got hurt, or when one was mad at the other. Together they were both quietly crying tears of sadness.  As they look up and saw their mother the tears really began to flow, and both girls began to choke out, “Mommy we are sorry, it was an accident.” Not knowing what they were talking about her eyes scanned her room and then settled on the broken glass rose. She sat down on the floor beside them looking so guilty as they wept, and then hugged them both. She said, “I can see they you are both so sorry for breaking my favorite rose. I am sad that it is broke, but I love you more than that piece of glass.” She held them and kissed them until they felt that they were loved and forgiven.

In Matthew 5:4 on the side of that mountain, Jesus told the people,  

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Have you ever felt as bad as those girls for doing something you shouldn’t have?  That’s what Jesus was talking about there; when we feel really bad and grieve because of what we have done. Proud, arrogant individuals are less likely to feel like this, but those who are poor in spirit, humble feel something when they mess up. Jesus lets us know that it is not the proud or the arrogant that will find blessing here but rather those who are humble enough to feel bad. He tells us that they are the ones who will be comforted.
I don’t think that there a better story in the Bible to illustrate this than the one found in:

 Luke 15:11-24  ” The Parable of the Lost Son 

   11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
   13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
   17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
   “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
   21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’   
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (NIV)

Do you see the progression that takes place in this story? The selfish, self-centred young man wants his share of the inheritance, seemingly not caring about his dad’s nor his brother’s feelings, nor about the family business, nor does he seem very concerned about the family’s religion nor their morals.
He takes the money and runs to party it up. Then after the money dries up and famine strikes he can’t find suitable work, and ends up feeding pigs which is probably very demeaning for a Jew who consider this animal unclean.  He get to the point where he is so hungry  he even longs to eat the pig’s food. It is at this point he seemingly wakes up. His proud spirit is broken, and his thoughts wander back home where there was plenty, even for the servants.
But he knows what he did. He knows that he took advantage of and hurt his father. So he humbly goes back to his dad and confesses his own sin and is ready to work as a servant if his dad would only take him back.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,… and blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.”

His dad barely hears what he has to say and showers him with kisses, hugs, fine cloths and jewelry, and wants to throw a party.

  “Blessed are those who mourn, or they shall be comforted”

As Jesus stood and taught this sermon on the side of that hill that day, He begins by showing those who would follow Him the kind of heart that pleases the Lord; one that’s not proud or haughty, but rather one that is still sensitive enough that still feels something when you do something wrong. You actually feels bad and grieve about what you have done.

In Matthew 18:1-5, we read where the disciples came to Jesus with a question, let me read it to you:

  1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”  2He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them.  3 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. “

There are too many people in the world today that just don’t care, and don’t feel things like an innocent child. Some of us over the years have become hardened; so much so that when we do things we ought not to do we no longer feel any remorse or grieve over what we have done. Jesus lets us know that if we get to that point, we rob our self of a blessing.    I think we rob our self of the  innocence which is precious and child-like. And so people find themselves doing even harsher, crueler, and even more vile things because their heart no longer grieves over such behavior. God loves the innocence heart of a child. And those who turn back to that humble state God promises to bless and comfort them.  Jesus even went as far as to say, “Unless you become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” 

My challenge for you this week is this: Think about the condition of your heart. Have you stopped feeling the kind of shame and guilt that is actually healthy for you? The kind of feelings that help keep us from becoming crude, foul mouthed, nasty, hurtful, rude, mean and selfish and the like?

I believe that Jesus was letting His disciples know that you can re-claim that innocent child-like heart again. But it begins but humbly turning to the Father like that prodigal son returning home and asking his dad for forgiveness.   And then we need choose to stop doing those things that we know we shouldn’t be doing in the first place.  Sometimes it’s hard to stop doing certain things we’ve done for a long time, but I believe God will help us win over these things.
And if you mess up along the way? 

The Apostle John wrote in his first epistle, (1:9) 

 “If we confess our sins, He (that is God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

We need to remember, that more than anything else God loves us.  Just like that mother loved her two girls, and the father loved his prodigal son. Father God loves us dearly. 

So can you do that? Can you go backwards and become more childlike and innocent?  I know you can.

I challenge you to do it!


For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566

From Jim McGuiggan... Now you see it, now you don't — Phil 4.13


Now you see it, now you don't — 

Phil 4.13


Frustration and all that goes with it and can grow out of it (including depression and resentment) comes when our eager expectations are consistently not met. You see this in Christians a lot when you would think that they’d be the happiest people in the world. Well...that’s saying too much—is it not?
But look at this. In Philippians 4:13 Paul says, "I can do all things in him who strengthens me." And then in 4:19 he says, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

What are we to think of such claims? I know what we’ve done with them for ages. Let’s see, we make "all things" all things (why wouldn’t we?) and we make "can do" of immediate effect (why wouldn’t we?) so that there’s nothing the believer can’t do. Sensibly we don’t apply "all things" to matters outside of living for God and furthering his purpose. I can’t turn scrap iron into gold, for example, or sprout wings and fly. We rightly sniff at such nonsense and feel sure that Paul’s experience, while it’s unlimited in its area, should be restricted to life before God. That makes sense. But in what way does it make sense? God would rather that I did not sin and since he is in me to enable me to do "all things" then it should follow that I can be sinless. No? Why not?

Now imagine some poor soul that’s plagued by a particular sin. Let’s make it one of the ones we usually zero in on. He repeatedly falls to sexual temptation or maybe he can’t keep his gossiping mouth shut. He reads Philippians 4:13, or more probably, he hears the preacher going on about it, and he thinks, "there’s nothing I cannot do because God strengthens me so I ought to be able to control my mouth or my desires." But he continues to fail when he tries to get control of his blabbering mouth or keep his hands to himself. How does he explain that? How does the preacher or teacher explain it?

Well certainly God offers the strength to overcome the sin but we must want it. [Hmmm. That sounds like a bit of fine print that you have to use a magnifying glass to see in Philippians 4.] What is our failing sinner to think? If he wants the strength to overcome the sin, then he gets it. But the fact is that he’s been wanting this overcoming strength for years so why doesn’t he have it? The answer’s obvious, isn’t it? He mustn’t really want it. [Ah, I see. The fine print has fine print.] Yes, but our struggler has always thought he really wanted it; he’s wept sore over it and prayed fervently against the sin, as he pursued purity or mouth-control. Perhaps, but it takes more than prayer to access the overcoming power of God. You must purpose and act on preventing the re-occurrence, maybe even set up a protective network of friends. [So, the text isn’t nearly as simple as it looks. In fact, it’s a bit of a scam to quote it as if it were that simple—"It’s simply a matter of trusting that it’s true."] Well naturally it’s not that simple. But our struggler didn’t just trust and pray, he purposed and set up hurdles against the usurper, even went for counselling and such like—all to no avail. What now? More fine print?

Well, God doesn’t always answer prayers in an instant. How about within a week or a month or a decade, or what about half a life time? And so we add caveats to qualifiers and "buts" to plain affirmations. Before we know it Philippians 4:13 is hardly recognisable as the passage we smilingly (and glibly?) quote; the passage we quote with something of an implied demand in it (since Philippians 4:13’s true, you need to behave and make no excuses!).

Sometimes we think that biblical texts are spoken/written in a vacuum. But this simply isn’t true. Existential realities are assumed as Paul and people like him speak or write. They know very well that there’s no such thing as moral "magic" and they know very well that acts of sin are all tangled up in the vast network of a human’s experiences, fears, shaping, emotional pre-dispositions, habits and felt needs. They know very well that a recurring sin isn’t cured without a change in the struggler’s inner structure. The act may be effectively blocked by numerous hurdles built against it (a good thing too) but it’s hardly a cure. Since they know all these things and assume them all as true even while they write, we mustn’t quote them as if they were stupid or sheerly simplistic. We need to stop promising instant transformation. Instant coffee, instant oats, tanning creams, maybe—but not instant transformation.

So does Philippians 4:13,19 mean nothing? No, that can never be true, but it’s time we stopped dabbling with texts; it’s time we stopped quoted verses that are rooted in other rich complex truths as if the verses stood alone. Stop promising things God didn’t promise! We lead masses to think that God has promised this or that and when he doesn’t come up with it serious self-doubt is generated in the believer who begins to think he doesn’t truly want God’s will. Or resentment is provoked against God who, it appears, won’t keep his word.

So does Philippians 4:13,19 mean nothing? Certainly not! What does it mean then? Work with it!


From Mark Copeland... The Art Of Making Peace (Philippians 4:1-3)

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE PHILIPPIANS"

                     The Art Of Making Peace (4:1-3)

INTRODUCTION

1. Even in "good" churches you often find brethren who have differences
   with each other; such was the case with the church at Philippi

2. As Paul continues with various exhortations to the Christian life, at
   this point in his epistle he addresses his comments concerning a rift
   that apparently existed among two members at Philippi (4:1-3)

3. How Paul approaches the sensitive task of trying to make peace between
   Euodia and Syntyche provides several lessons in the use of tact
   a. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to be known as "peacemakers"
      (Mt 5:9)
   b. From Paul, then, let us learn what we can about "The Art Of Making
      Peace"

[The first lesson, gleaned from verse one, is...]

I. THE PEACEMAKER MUST LOVE THOSE ON BOTH SIDES (1)

   A. PAUL STARTS OUT BY EXPRESSING HIS LOVE...
      1. Note the terms used by Paul...
         a. "my brothers"
         b. "beloved and longed for"
         c. "my joy and crown"
         d. "beloved"
      2. Truly Paul loved the people at Philippi!

   B. PEACEMAKERS MUST DO THE SAME...
      1. They must have sincere love for those on both sides of an issue
      2. They must be able and willing to express their love, as did Paul
      3. Otherwise, they cannot be useful arbitrators in making peace
         a. Loving one side, and not the other, makes impartial judgments
            impossible
         b. The peacemaker's advice and counsel will be open to suspicion

[With mutual love for those on both sides, the peacemaker is in a
position to render a fair evaluation of the problem and the solution.

Next, we see that...]

II. THE PEACEMAKER SHOULD TREAT BOTH SIDES TENDERLY AND EQUALLY (2)

   A. IN THE CASE OF PAUL...
      1. Note the use of the verb "implore" (KJV, "beseech") - parakaleo
         {par-ak-al-eh'-o}
         a. To call to one's side, call for, summon
         b. To address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done
            in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction,
            etc.
         -- Rather than command, Paul chooses to plead with them
      2. Note the repeated and equal use of the verb "implore"
         a. "I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche"
         b. Rather than take sides, Paul treats them both tenderly and
            equally

   B. THERE IS A NEED FOR SUCH PEACEMAKERS TODAY...
      1. Individuals who will use tenderness and fairness in treating
         those in a dispute
      2. Again, remaining impartial, so the counsel will not tainted with
         any accusation of bias

[The next insight we can glean from Paul in "The Art Of Making Peace" 
is...]

III. THE PEACEMAKER MUST SEEK FOR ONENESS OF MIND (2)

   A. NOTE PAUL'S OBJECTIVE...
      1. That Euodia and Syntyche "be of the same mind in the Lord"
      2. A concern of Paul already expressed in this epistle, that there
         be  - Php 1:27; 2:2
      3. But now applied especially to these two ladies

   B. IN MAKING PEACE, THERE MUST BE ONENESS OF MIND...
      1. In many "peace agreements", the participants have not truly
         reached a oneness of mind, only a compromise
      2. Such "agreements" are often only temporary, destroyed when the
         remaining differences eventually resurface
      3. For Christians, seeking to "be of the same mind in the Lord"
         becomes easy if we all strive to have "the mind of Christ" 
         - Php 2:2-5

[Not content with only a "cessation of hostilities", the peacemaker 
seeks to go much further, dealing with the divisiveness of mind that is 
the true cause of the problem.

Note also, that...]

IV. THE PEACEMAKER MUST USE ASSISTANCE WHEN AVAILABLE (3)

   A. PAUL WAS NOT TOO PROUD TO CALL FOR HELP...
      1. He sought out the assistance of "Syzygus"
         a. Literally, "yoke-fellow, true companion"
         b. Possibly his true name, which if so, he was being called upon
            by Paul to live up to his name!
      2. Paul wanted this individual to help these ladies out

   B. PEACEMAKERS WILL GLADLY USE THE HELP OTHERS CAN GIVE...
      1. Humble, they do not feel like they have to do it all
      2. Aware of others who may be in a position to provide counsel or
         other means of help, they will glad utilize them
      3. Their goal is to make peace, not a reputation for themselves!

[Finally, we can glean from Paul that...]

V. THE PEACEMAKER MUST SEE THE GOOD AND GIVE CREDIT WHEN DUE (3)

   A. PAUL DID NOT LOSE SIGHT OF WHOSE THESE WOMEN WERE...
      1. They had labored with Paul in the gospel
      2. They had labored with Clement
      3. They had labored with Paul's other fellow-workers as well (who
         though unmentioned by name, had their names in the "Book of
         Life" - cf. Re 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12,15; 21:27; 22:19)

   B. SO PEACEMAKERS MUST REMEMBER THE GOOD IN THOSE WITH WHOM THEY
      DEAL...
      1. It is so easy to forget that those having problems likely have
         much good to their credit
      2. Recognizing this and giving credit where it is due increases the
         likelihood that one's advice will be heeded

CONCLUSION

1. In a world that is as divided as ours, there is a grave need for those
   who can serve as faithful and effective "peacemakers"

2. Hopefully, by considering and applying "The Art Of Making Peace" as
   exemplified by the apostle Paul in this passage, we may be useful to
   the Lord when called upon to bring divided people together!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011


From Gary... Gettin' along






In the early 70's, I had just started my first job in the field of the sciences- an entry level quality control technician position.  I worked in a temperature and humidity controlled room testing various raw materials used in the production of coated products like sandpaper and emery cloth.  Most of the day, there were only two of us in this area, but on rare occasions there might be three.  Things went fine for a few months, then one day, George (not his real name) refused to speak to me; not even to tell me why.  This was difficult for me, as I love to talk and being alone in a room all day in silence is torture.  I did everything I could to get George to "get over it".  After a couple of months of silence, I just gave up and didn't try any more.  I was living in a silent hell, but I was determined to do something about it.  Since George wouldn't even say "Hi", I didn't either.  I would just nod and be polite when appropriate.  After a few more months in silence, one day George said "Hi" and after a few more months things were "OK".  Once in awhile, we even went out to lunch together.  He never did tell me the "why" of all this- he just became my friend.  And sometimes that will just have to do!!!!  People are funny, some times you run up against a brick wall and feel like the Elephant in the picture, but other times, you become fast friends like the dog and the Elephant in the above video entitled "Gettin' along".  Now, the story I told is true and those were days before I became a Christian.  But Christians have problems too as the following chapter from Paul's first letter to the Corinthians will show...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 3
 1 Brothers, I couldn’t speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ.  2 I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you weren’t yet ready. Indeed, not even now are you ready,  3 for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren’t you fleshly, and don’t you walk in the ways of men?  4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you fleshly?  5 Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?  6 I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s farming, God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.  11 For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.  12 But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or stubble;  13 each man’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man’s work is.  14 If any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.  15 If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire. 

  16  Don’t you know that you are a temple of God, and that God’s Spirit lives in you?  17 If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, which you are.  18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise.  19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”  20 And again, “The Lord knows the reasoning of the wise, that it is worthless.”  21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,  23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Disharmony hurts; I know!!!  If just a fellow worker could cause so much pain, imagine the problems that can occur when the other fellow is a Christian.  Bad news!!!  I wish I had all the answers to human interaction, but I don't.  I am a male of the species and therefore not as attune to the feelings of others as the ladies are.  But, I can try- even if it hurts, even if it feels like I am banging my head against a brick wall (here we go with the Elephant again)!!!  That is the thing about learning to love your fellow human being-- you just keep trying to be the best friend they will allow you to be and learn to accept the consequences.  Who knows, one day you may find you have an inseparable friend!!!